Journal-box construction



March 11, 3930. H. c. DREIBUSS JOURNAL BOX CONSTRUCTION Filed March 23, 1928 Patented Mar. 11, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HARRY C. DREIBUSS, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO SCULLIN STEEL (10., OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI JOURNAL-B OX CONSTRUCTION Application filed March 23, 1928.

The present invention relates to journal box construction.

More particularly the present invention relates to the construction of journal boxes such as are used in railway trucks.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved journal box construction having increased clearance between the usual wedge and the roof of the box.

A further object is to provide an improved journal box construction having the advantage that assurance is had that engagement between the wed e and the wedge-engaging portion of the ournal box is always had relatively near to the center line of the bearing.

A further object is to provide a journal box construction in which the area of contact between the wedge and the wedge-engaging portion of the journal box is reduced to a minimum.

A further object is to provide an improved journal box construction which is simpler than prior constructions from a foundrymans standpoint.

A further object is to provide a sturdy journal box construction well adapted to meet the needs of commercial operation.

Further objects will appear as the descrip tion proceeds.

Referring to the drawings- Figure 1 is a fragmentary view illustrating one end of a railway side frame, said drawing illustrating in front elevation one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by the arrows 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but

showing a slightly different form of wedgeengaging portion;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the center line of the frame of the construction shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken alon the plane indicated by the arrows 5-5 of igure 2;

Figure 6 is a sectional view similar to Figure 5, but illustratin a modified form of the dust guard portion 0 the journal box; and

Serial No. 264,191. V

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates the tension member and the numeral 11 indicates the compression member of the side frame of a railway car. Said tension and compression members merge at their extremities and have formed integral therewith the journal box 12. The tension member 10 may preferably have a U shape in cross section, the web 13 of said tension member being lowermost. The compression member 11 may also be of U formation in cross section, the web 14 of said compression member being uppermost. The journal box 12 in accordance with usual practice extends laterally on both sides of the tension and compression members 10 and 11, the inner portion 15 of said journal box 12 being provided with the dust guard portion 16. The forward or outer portion 17 of said journal box 12 is provided with a lid (not shown). The side walls 1818 of the journal box are formed to provide lugs 19-19 for cooperation with the wedge 20. The forward portion 17 of the journal box 12 is provided with a lug 21 adapted to engage the forward extremity of the wedge 20 and prevent said wedge 20 from working outwardly of the journal box when the weight of the side frame and the parts supported thereby are carried by said wedge 20. From an inspection of Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawing, it will be noted that the wedge-engaging portion 22 of the roof of the journal box is disposed at a lower level than the roof of the portions 15 and 17 disposed, respectively, inwardly and outwardly of the tension and coin pression members 10 and 11. Expressed in other language, the wedge-engaging portion 22 has its surface which engages with the wedge 20 at a distinctly lower level than the adjacent portions of the roof of the journal box inwardly and outwardly of said wedgeengaging portion 22.

Preferably the top surface of the wedge 20 is in the form of an arc, the axis of which is horizontally disposed in the vertical medial plane of the tension and compression members 10 and 11. In a preferred physical embodiment of the present invention, the radius ferred physical embodiment of the present invention, the radius of thearc defining the under surface of the wedge-engagingportion 22 is approximately 18 inches. It will be understood, of course, that these figures are not to be considered in a limiting sense, but are stated-merely for the purpose'of illustrating proportions which have proven satisfactory in service. Figure 3 illustrates a construction in which'the wedge-engaging portion 22 has a substantially flat surface on its under side. Preferably the roof of the journal box is beveled between the webs of the tension and compression members on both sides of the journal box, as indicated by the numerals 2323. The beveled portion 23 on the side adjacent to the tension and compression members preferably lies in substantially the same plane as the web 13 of the tension member 10. The roofs of the portions 15 and 17, disposed, respectively, inwardly and outwardly of the tension and compression members, are preferably sloped in parallelism with the slope 23. As will be noted from inspection of the drawing, the roofs of the portions 15 and 17 referred to are substantially in the same plane as the parts 23-23. Said portions 15 and 17 are, as illustrated in Figure 7, beveled symmetrically relative to the medial vertical plane of the journal box,

the bevel on the two sides of the portion 17 of the journal box conforming to the usual outline of the lid-engaging portion of the' box.

Figures 5 and 6 show two forms of the inner end of the box. In both figures it will be noted that the roof of the box has its upper surface at one level from the tension and compression members inwardly to the inner extremity of the box. Expressed in other language, the dust guard portion does not project above the level of the remainder of the roof of the box. By reason of this construction, the number of cores in casting the box is reduced. Figures 5 and 6 both illustrate the roof beveled on both sides in rear of the tension and compression members. Figure 5 shows the bevel extending to the rear of the dust guard portion 16. Figure 6 shows a construction in which the bevel on the two sides of the journal box in rear of the tension and compression members extends only. as far as the dust guard portion 16. The beveling of the dust guard and journal box, in addition to economically distrib-' uting the metal of the box, facilitates the draining of water, dirt, and the like, from the top of the journal box.

The construction above described involving the fiat roof has the advantage that the cores necessary in casting are reduced in number, and weight is saved without sacrificing strength. By reason of the fact that the bearing portion for engagement with the wedge 20 is disposed at a lower level than the adjoining under surfaces of the roof,

clearance is had, whereby interference between the wedge and said adjoining portions of the roof is avoided, even after considerable wear has occurred, or even if a considis reduced, due to the fact that one or bothof said members presents a convex bearing surface. This construction also permits a certain amount of rocking, taking care of unevenness in manufacture.

Though certain preferred embodiments of the present invention havebeen described in detail, it will be clear that many modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is intended to cover all such modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is 1. In combination, a side frame having tension and compression members and a journal box integral therewith having a wedge-engaging bearing member disposed within said journal box and integral therewith, the roof of said journal box both inwardly and outwardly of said tension and compression members being at a higher level than said wedge-engaging member, the wedge member in said journal box engaging said first mentioned member, one of said members being convex on the surface thereof which engages the other of said members.

2. In combination, a side frame having tension and compression members and a journal box integral therewith, said journal box having a Wedge-engaging bearing member disposed intermediate of its length, said hearing member being disposed materially below the adjacent portions of the roof of said box, a wedge member within said journal box engaging said first mentioned member, one of said members being convex on the surface thereof which engages the other of said members.

being at a materially lower level than the adjoining roof of said box, said side frame including a tenslon member U-shaped in cross section, which tension member has its web lowermost, the roof of said box on the side adjacent to said tension member being beveled in substantially the plane of the web of said tension member.

4. In combination, a railway side frame and a journal -box integral therewith, said 'ournal box including a wedge-engaging earing, the roof of said journal box in rear of said bearing being elevated materially above said bearing, said journal box being provided with a dust guard portion in rear of said bearing, said roof in rear of said bearing and the top of said dust guard portion being at substantially the same level, said side frame including a tension member of U- shaped cross section, the web of said tension member being lowermost, the rear portion of said journal box on the side adjacent to said tension member being beveled in substantially the plane of said web, the rear portion of the other side of said journal box being beveled at substantially the same angle.

5. In combination, a railway side frame including an inclined tension member and a journal box integral therewith, said journal box including side walls and a wedge-engaging bearing and a dust guard portion, the roof of said journal box in rear of said bearing being elevated materially above said bearing and being beveled toward said side walls with substantially the same degree of angularity as said tension member relative to a horizontal plane,the top of said dust guard portion being at substantiall the same level as said roof in rear of said earing.

6, In combination, a railway side frame and a journal box integral therewith, the tension member of said side frame having a cross section of substantially U form, the web of said tension member being lowermost, the portion of said journal box adjacent to said tension member from the vertical medial plane of said tension member toward the rear end of said journal box being beveled in substantially the, plane of said web, the portion of said journal box distant from said tension member and inwardly of said vertical medial plane being similarly beveled, said journal box including a Wedge-engaging bearing member, the roof of said journal box inwardly of said bearing member being at a higher level than said bearing member.

7. In combination, a railway side frame and a journal box integral therewith, the tension member of said side frame having a cross section of substantially U form, the web of said tension member being lowermost, the roof of said journal box being beveled toward the side walls thereof, the angle of said bevel relative to said roof being substantially the same as the angle of the web of said tension member, said journal box having a dust guard portion, the top of which is at substantially the same level as the roof of said journal box,

said journal box including a wedge-engaging bearing member, the roof of said journal box inwardly of said bearing member being at a higher level than said bearing member.

8. In combination, a side frame and a journal box integral therewith having a wedgeengaging bearing member disposed within said journal box and integral therewith, the roof of said journal box both inwardly and outwardly of said tension and compression members being at a higher level than said wedge-engaging member, a wedge member within said journal box engaging said first mentioned member, said members being convex on their mutually enga ing surfaces.

9. In combination, a side frame and a journal box integral therewith, said journal box having a wedge engaging bearing member in its roof, said bearing member being disposed materially below the adjacent portions of the roof of said box, a wedge member within said journal box engaging said first mentioned member, said members being convex on their mutually engaging surfaces.

10. In combination, a side frame and a journal box integral therewith having a wedge-engaging bearing member disposed within said journal box and integral therewith, the roof of said journal box both inwardly and outwardl of said tension and compression members heing at a higher level than said wedge-engaging member, a wedge member within said journal box engaging said first mentioned member, one of said' members being convex on the surface thereof which engages the other of said members, said convex surface having an axis horizontally disposed in the vertical medial plane of said tension and compression-members.

11. In combination, a side frame and a journal box integral therewith, said journal box having a wedge engaging bearing member in the roof thereof, said bearing member being disposed materially below the adjacent portions of the roof of said box, a wedge member within said journal box enga 'ng said first mentioned member, said mem rs being convex on their mutually engaging surfaces and having the axes of convexities of said mutually engaging surfaces horizontally disposed in the vertical medial plane of said tension and compression members.

12. In combination, a railway side frame and a journal box integral therewith, the tension member of said side frame having a cross section of substantially U form, the web of said tension member being lowermost, the portion of said journal box adjacent to said tension member from the vertical medial plane of said tension member toward the rear end of said journal box being beveled in substantially the plane of said web, the portion of said journal box distant from said tension member and inwardly and outwardly of said vertical medial plane being similarly beveled, saidjbu'rnal box including a wedgeengag ingbe'ziringmember, the roof of said 'ourmil 01-1 "inwardly and outwardly of said eafingm'mbeFbeing at a higher level than said heating member.

Signed at 'Louis, Missouri, this 20th 'HARRY C. DREIBU'S'S. 

